"And please no more of that claptrap about elevated cancer rates which has been disproved by medical experts worldwide."

Not really true Paul. Once study was done by Alberta Health, which was audited by medical professionals outside the country. It did not conclude there was no elevated risk for people living in Fort Chip. In fact, it said while the cancer rates were within a normal range, they were higher than expected and that further monitoring is warranted. I am not aware of any further monitoring actually happening.

*The observed cases of cholangiocarcinoma and colon cancer during the period of investigation (1995-2006) are within the expected range of cancer occurrence.The number of cancer cases overall was higher than expected. In particular, increases of observed over expected were found for biliary tract cancers as a group and cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. These increases were based on a small number of cases and could be due to chance or increased detection. The possibility that the increased rate is due to increased risk in the community, however, cannot be ruled out.The increased number of cases of biliary tract cancers, cancers in the blood and lymphatic system and cancers of unknown primary seen in the most recent six years (2001-2006) compared to the years 1995-2000 of the investigation warrant closer monitoring of cancer occurrences in Fort Chipewyan in the coming years.Further investigation is required to evaluate if there is a risk posed by living in Fort Chipewyan. This would be done by tracking a cohort of residents who have lived in the area within the past 20 to 30 years.As part of an overall assessment of the health status of the community, further analysis should also be done of many potential risk factors, such as lifestyle risk factors, family history and occupational and environmental exposures.*

On the contrary, a quick glance at the IEN website shows that, far from being pawns, the First Nations show tremendous courage and persistence in standing up to big oil, and in defending their environment, lifestyle, health and treaty rights.

How many Canadians would want to live upstream from the Tar Sands, drink the water, eat the fish and breathe the air? Out of sight, out of mind for most of us, unfortunately.